Closure



Feb. 28, 1967 W.R.YOUNGS 3,30

CLOSURE Filed NOV- 16, 1964 INVENTOR W/L/SU/Z P. You/v65 Adm Mil/WATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,306,345 CLOSURE Wilbur R. Youngs, 2700Northbourne Drive, Springfield, Ohio 45506 Filed Nov. 16, 1964, Ser. No.411,365 7 Claims. (Cl. 160-243) This invention relates to a door orclosure, and more particularly to a flexible fabric door or closure,which is particularly adapted for use with aircraft hangars.

This invention provides an inexpensive weatherproof 'fabric closurewhich is adapted to resist wind, and utilizes an improved andinexpensive operating mechanism.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention,then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the appended claims, the following description andannexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrativeembodiments of the invention, such disclosed means constituting,however, but a few of the various forms in which the principle of thisinvention may be employed.

In the annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken in the plane indicated by theline 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken in the plane indicated by theline 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken in the plane indicated by theline 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of a latch ing mechanismused to hold the door in a closed position.

Briefly stated this invention is in a closure for an opening defined bya base (e.g., a sill plate, the ground, a concrete pad or the like), ahead member and side members. In accordance herewith there is provided aflexible, weatherproof fabric curtain material which covers the opening.The fabric is secured to the head member along its top marginal edge. Aroller is secured to the bottom marginal edge of the fabric and issupported thereby. A rope, usually a wire rope or cable, is wound aroundthe end of the roller and firmly anchored to the ground, for example atthe bottom of the adjacent side member. A pulley mounted in a block isdisposed between the roller end and the anchor for coaction with thecable to wind and unwind it from the roller. This is accomplished byraising and lowering the pulley block along the adjacent side member. Asthe pulley block is raised, the pulley changes the direction of theapplied force against the cable causing it to unwind from around theroller end, which produces rotation thereof. As the roller rotates itwraps itself in the fabric curtain and moves towards the head memberthereby removing the curtain from the opening. When the pulley block islowered, the strain on the cable is removed and the roller will roll bygravity downwards from the head member, unwrapping itself from thecurtain as it moves. The roller is rotated in a reverse direction asit-unwraps itself from the curtain, which forces the payed out cable torewind itself on the roller end.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1-6 of the annexed drawings, thereis shown a door opening definedby a head member 11 and side members 12and 13. A flexible, weatherproof, fabric material 14, e.g., a toughpolyvinyl chloride plastic sheet, covers the opening 10. The fabricmaterial or curtain 14 is secured to the head member 11 by any suitablefastening means, e.g., a rigid bar 15 (FIG. 2) integral and coextensivewith the top marginal edge 16 of the fabric material 14, for supporting3,306,345 Patented Feb. 28, 1967 engagement in the complementaryconfigured recess 17 in the head member 11.

A tube or roller 18 is secured to the bottom marginal edge of the fabricmaterial 14 by any suitable fastening means, e.g., a rigid bar 21 (FIG.3) coextensive with the bottom marginal edge 19 of the fabric 14, andsecured thereto for interlocking coaction in the longitudinal recess 22of the roller 18 as the fabric material 14 is rolled thereon. The roller18 is at least coextensive with the fabric material 14, and is supportedthereby. Preferably, the roller ends 23 and 24 extend beyond the ends ofthe fabric material 14.

A track 25 is secured to the opening 10 adjacent one of the sidemembers, e.g., side member 13. The track 25 is enclosed except for thelongitudinal recess therein. In this particular embodiment of theinvention, the track 25 is secured within a substantially Z-shapedstructural member 26 secured to the side member 13. The member 26protectively encases the track 25 and the operating mechanism. It alsogives the door opening a more esthetic appearance. The roller 18 isdesigned to move up and down in the opening 10 adjacent the side member12 and section 27 of the member 26.

A bracket or pulley block 28 is mounted on wheels which are movable inand along the track 25. Preferably, the block 28 is composed of a pairof A-frames 29 and 31 which are held in spaced relation by a pluralityof spacers, e.g., spacer 32. A pair of wheels 35 and 36 are secured tothe base portions 33 and 34 of A-frames 29 and 31, respectively, inspaced relation to another pair of wheels 37 and 38 which are alsosecured to the base portions 29 and 31, respectively. The apex portions39 and 41 of the A-frame members 29 and 31, respectively, extend fromthe track recess 30. A drive pulley 42 is rotatably mounted betweenportions 39 and 41. i

A cable 43 is secured to the block 28. The cable 43 extends to anoperating pulley 44, adjacent the head member 11 and aligned with thetrack 25, where it is reeved therearound. The free end of the cable 43is secured to any suitable cable winding and unwinding means, e.g., awinch 45.

A similar cable 46 is firmly anchored below the roller 18. The cable 46may beanchored to the bottom of the track 25 or the ground adjacentthereto, by any suitable anchoring means (not shown). The cable 46 isreeved around the drive pulley 42, and extends to the adjacent rollerend 24, around which it is wound a number of times, its end beingsecured to the roller.

The block 28 is pulled upward along the track 25 towards the head member11, as the cable 43 is wound up by rotating the winch 45. As the block28 moves upward along the track 25, the drive pulley 42 attachedthereto, pulls against the cable 46 wound around roller end 24 causingthe cable 46 to unwind therefrom, which rotates the roller 18. Therotating roller 18 wraps itself in the fabric material 14. As the roller18 wraps itself in the fabric material 14, it moves towards the headmember 11. In this manner, the fabric material 14 is removed from theopening 10.

To cover the door opening 10 with the fabric material 14, the cable 43is payed out by reversing the rotation of the winch 45. This causes theblock 28 to move downward away from the head member 11. As the bracket28 moves downward, the upward strain on the cable 46 is removed. Theroller 18 will start unwrapping itself from the fabric material 14. Thisunwrapping forces the roller 18 to rotate in a reverse direction whichproduces further unwrapping of the material from the roller whilecausing the cable 46 to wind itself around the roller end 24.

Any suitable guide means may be used to guide the other end 23 of theroller 18 along the side member 12.

wound once around the roller end 23, having one end firmly anchored tothe head member 11, and its other end firmly anchored to bottom of theside member 12 or to the ground adjacent thereto. Such auxiliary cablemeans is not required for satisfactory operation. of the closures ofthis invention.

A latching mechanism, generally indicated at 48 (FIGS. 4 and 6) is usedto retain the roller 18 adjacent the bottom of the opening 10, whiletension is applied to the cable 43 tending to rotate the roller 18 andthus tensioning the fabric for better resistance to wind. The machanism48 is characterized by a bracket 49 secured to the side member 13 andextending therefrom, adjacent its bottom end 50 (FIG. 1). The bracket 49extends beyond the roller 18. A latch arm 51 is rotatably mounted to thefree end 52 of the bracket 49 by any suitable means, e.g., pivot pin 40.The latch arm 51 is biased in roller engaging and holding position byspring 53. The bracket 49 is secured to the member 13 beyond the rollerend 24 permitting the roller 18 to roll thereby. The latch arm 51 isdesigned to engage the roller end 24. The roller 18 forces the latch arm51 outwardly as it moves thereby. As the roller 18 moves past thebracket 49, the spring 53 forces the latch arm 51 inwardly to engage theupper portion of the roller end 24, whereby the roller 18 is held inclosed position adjacent the ground. The cable 43 is then tightened orput under tension by rotating the winch 45. The roller 18 tends torotate, whereby it wraps itself in the fabric material 14. However, theroller 18 is held in a closed position and not permitted to move towardsthe head member 11 by the latch 51. The fabric material 14 becomesincreasingly tightened around the roller 18 as it rotates. Thetightening of the fabric on the roller 18 causes the material 14 in theopening to stiffen and its resistance to wind is accordingly greatlyincreased.

It should be apparent from the above description that any suitable meansfor changing the direction of application of applied force, could beused in place of the pulley mounted on the pulley block for unwindingand winding coaction with the cable reeved around the roller end. Forexample, a simple turning bar or pin could be used.

Also, any suitable guide means may be used to guide the pulley blockalong the side member. For example, the block may be guided by a cablepassed therethrough, having its ends anchored adjacent the bottom andtop of the side member. It is also, for example, unnecessary for theblock to be mounted on wheels to make the mechanism operable, as theblock may have a flange extending therefrom, which is slidable in andalong the track. However, the invention as previously described, is moreeasily operated and is, therefore, preferred.

Thus, there has been provided a fabric door closure with a new and noveloperating mechanism. The wind resistance of thefabrie closure is greatlyincreased. The operating parts are simplified making the closureeconomical to manufacture and install.

' Other modes of applying the principle of this invention may beemployed instead of those specifically set forth above, changes beingmade as regards the details herein disclosed, provided the elements setforth in any of the following claims, or the equivalent of such beemployed.

It is, therefore, particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed as theinvention:

1. A closure for an opening defined by a base, a head and side memberscomprising:

(a) a flexible, weatherproof, fabric curtain;

(b) means for securing the top marginal edge of the fabric curtain tothe head member;

(c) a roller;

((1) means for securing the roller to the bottom marginal edge of thefabric curtain;

4 (e) a rope secured to one end of the roller and adapted to be woundtherearound, the other end of the rope being firmly anchored to the basebelow the roller;

(f) means for anchoring the rope to the base;

(g) means movable along a side member between the base and head memberas the roller moves along the curtain coacting with the rope adjacentthe roller end, for changing the direction of application of an appliedforce; and

(h) means for selectively applying'a tensioning force to the rope in adirection towards the head member and for relieving the force,respectively, causing the roller to rotate towards the head member,whereby the roller wraps itself in the curtain removing it from theopening, and the force when relieved causing the roller to rotate awayfrom the head member, whereby the roller unwraps itself from the curtainto cover the opening.

2. A closure for an opening defined by a base, a head member and sidemembers, comprising:

(a) a flexible, weatherproof, fabric curtain to cover the opening;

(b) means for securing the top marginal edge of the fabric curtain tothe head member;

(c) a roller;

(d) means for securing the roller to the bottom marginal edge of thefabric curtain;

(e) an idler pulley movable to and from the head member adjacent one ofthe side members;

(f) means coacting between the side member and the idler pulley forguiding the pulley;

(g) means secured to the idler pulley for raising and lowering it to andfrom the head member;

(h) a cable reeved through the idler pulley, one end thereof extendingfrom the idler pulley to the adjacent end of the roller where it isWrapped therearound and secured thereto, the other end of the cableextending from the idler pulley and being firmly anchored to the base;and

(i) means for anchoring the cable to the base; the idler pulley whenraised coacting with the cable wound around the roller end causing thecable to unwind therefrom, and rotate the roller, whereby the rollerwraps itself in the fabric material as it moves along the fabriccurtain, and the idler pulley when lowered, permitting the roller toroll away from the head member, and unwrap itself from the fabriccurtain to cover the opening.

3. A closure for an opening defined by a base, ahead member and sidemembers, comprising:

(a) a flexible, weatherproof, fabric curtain to cover the opening;

(b) means for securing the top marginal edge of the fabric curtain tothe head member;

(c) a roller;

(d) means for securing the roller to the bottom marginal edge of thefabric curtain;

(e) a pulley block movable adjacent one of the sidemembers to and fromthe head member;

(f) an idler pulley rotatably mounted in the pulley block;

(g) means coacting between the side member and the pulley block forguiding the block along the side member;

. (h) rope means secured to the block for raising and lowering it to andfrom the head member; (i) a cable reeved through the idler pulley, oneend thereof extending from the idler pulley to the adja wind therefromcausing rotation thereof, whereby the roller wraps itself in the fabriccurtain as it moves upwards therealong, and the block when loweredpermitting the roller to move away from the head member, whereby theroller upwraps itself from the fabric curtain to cover the opening.

4. The closure of claim 3, wherein the means (g) includes:

(1) a track secured to the side member adjacent the pulley block forguiding said pulley block, the track being at least coextensive with theside member; and

(2) means secured to the block for coaction with the track to permitmovement of the block therealong, the means including a pair of wheelssecured to the block and movable in the track.

5. The closure of claim 3, wherein the means (h) includes:

(1) an operating pulley secured above the head member substantiallyaligned with the track;

(2) a cable reeeved through the operating pulley, having one end securedto the block and its other end extending therefrom; and

(3) means secured to the free end of the cable for paying in and payingout the cable.

6. A closure for an opening defined by a base, a head member and sidemembers, comprising:

(a) a flexible, weatherproof, fabric curtain to cover the opening;

(b) means for securing the top marginal edge of the fabric curtain tothe head member;

(c) a roller secured to the bottom marginal edge thereof and supportedthereby;

(d) means for securing the roller to the bottom marginal edge of thefabric curtain;

(e) a track secured to one of the side members and coextensivetherewith;

(f) a pulley block mounted on wheels which are movable in and along thetrack;

(g) an idler pulley mounted on the block;

(h) an operating pulley mounted adjacent the top of the track andsubstantially aligned therewith;

(i) a cable reeved through the operating pulley, having one end thereofsecured to the block;

(j) means secured to the free end of the cable for selectively windingit in and out, whereby the block is moved along the track in a desireddirection to and from the head member;

(k) a second cable reeved through the idler pulley, one end thereofextending from the idler pulley to the adjacent end of the roller whereit is secured thereto, the other end of the cable being firmly anchoredto the base; and

(1) means for anchoring the cable to the base; the idler pulley whenraised coacting with the cable wound around the roller end causing thecable to unwind therefrom, and rotate the roller, whereby the rollerwraps itself in the fabric material at it moves along the fabriccurtain, and the idler pulley when lowered, permitting the roller toroll away from the head member, and upwrap itself from the fabriccurtain to cover the opening.

7. The closure of claim 1, which includes:

(n) means coacting between the other end of the roller and the adjacentside member for guiding the roller therealong while permitting rotationthereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,211,211 10/1965Youngs 243 HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner. P. M. CAUN, AssistantExaminer.

1. A CLOSURE FOR AN OPENING DEFINED BY A BASE, A HEAD AND SIDE MEMBERSCOMPRISING: (A) A FLEXIBLE, WEATHERPROOF, FABRIC CURTAIN; (B) MEANS FORSECURING THE TOP MARGINAL EDGE OF THE FABRIC CURTAIN TO THE HEAD MEMBER;(C) A ROLLER; (D) MEANS FOR SECURING THE ROLLER TO THE BOTTOM MARGINALEDGE OF THE FABRIC CURTAIN; (E) A ROPE SECURED TO ONE END OF THE ROLLERAND ADAPTED TO BE WOUND THEREAROUND, THE OTHER END OF THE ROPE BEINGFIRMLY ANCHORED TO THE BASE BELOW THE ROLLER; (F) MEANS FOR ANCHORINGTHE ROPE TO THE BASE; (G) MEANS MOVABLE ALONG A SIDE MEMBER BETWEEN THEBASE AND HEAD MEMBER AS THE ROLLER MOVES ALONG THE CURTAIN COACTING WITHTHE ROPE ADJACENT THE ROLLER END, FOR CHANGING THE DIRECTION OFAPPLICATION OF AN APPLIED FORCE; AND (H) MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY APPLYINGA TENSIONING FORCE TO THE ROPE IN A DIRECTION TOWARDS THE HEAD MEMBERAND FOR RELIEVING THE FORCE, RESPECTIVELY, CAUSING THE ROLLER TO ROTATETOWARDS THE HEAD MEMBER, WHEREBY THE ROLLER WRAPS ITSELF IN THE CURTAINREMOVING IT FROM THE OPENING, AND THE FORCE WHEN RELIEVED CAUSING THEROLLER TO ROTATE AWAY FROM THE HEAD MEMBER, WHEREBY THE ROLLER UNWRAPSITSELF FROM THE CURTAIN TO COVER THE OPENING.